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Why Aren't IITians Made To Sign Govt Bond Like Doctors? Debate Takes Over Social Media
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ISRO's former Chairman, Dr S Somnath, revealed that over 60% of IIT students walked out midway during ISRO's campus recruitment presentation, simply after seeing the salary figures
A fierce online debate erupted over a deeply rooted inequality in the professional education system; Why are medical graduates bound by long-term service bonds for government jobs, while engineering graduates from prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) walk free, often into lucrative private sector roles or foreign companies?
The conversation reignited after a resurfaced statement by ISRO's former Chairman, Dr S Somnath, who lamented the lack of interest shown by IIT students in working with the space research agency. Somnath, who steered the historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, had earlier revealed that over 60% of IIT students walked out midway during ISRO's campus recruitment presentation, simply after seeing the salary figures.
This triggered a strong response from the medical community, particularly from doctors who face mandatory government service bonds lasting up to 10 years after completing degrees like MBBS, MD, or super-specialisations.
Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, Senior Cardiologist at Bengaluru's KIMS Hospital, questioned the double standards. 'I wonder why only doctors should have bonds to work for govt. Enforce them on IITians also to work for ISRO, DRDO etc," he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Joining him, Prof Dr G Rajesh of Government Medical College, Kozhikode, said, Let them go to US no issues. But we doctors have bond, upto 10 years in certain states after doing MBBS or MD or superspeciality. Why these guys are exempted? You spend much more money for them!!" He also marked the Prime Minister's Office in his post.
Let them go to US no issues. But we doctors have bond, upto 10 years in certain states after doing MBBS or MD or superspeciality. Why these guys are exempted? You spend much more money for them!! @PMOIndia — Dr G Rajesh (Gopalan Nair Rajesh). (@DrRajeshG1) June 9, 2025
The Indian Institutes of Technology are publicly funded and offer some of the most heavily subsidised education in the country. Despite this, a significant percentage of IIT graduates opt for careers abroad or in private corporations, often ignoring roles in government-funded research bodies such as ISRO or DRDO, where salaries and perks are far less competitive.
The resentment stems from the stark contrast; while MBBS graduates in government colleges may pay as little as Rs 56,000 per year for their studies and are then required to serve in rural or government hospitals, IITians with similar or even greater subsidies face no such obligation.
Dr Somnath's concerns aren't isolated. The country's elite scientific and defence institutions are increasingly finding it difficult to attract top-tier technical talent. Despite ISRO's groundbreaking space missions and DRDO's critical role in defence innovation, these bodies are perceived as offering poor financial incentives and outdated work environments.
The debate has now grown into a wider call for policy reform. Should IIT graduates, who benefit from elite education at nominal cost, be required to serve in government institutions for a few years before heading abroad?
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First Published:
June 11, 2025, 15:58 IST
